Holocene evolution of relative sea level and local mean high water spring tides in Belgium—a first assessment

Denys, Luc; Baeteman, Cécile

doi:10.1016/0025-3227(95)00029-x

Cited by 103 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Trends of RSL from near-and intermediate-field sites in Europe are characterized by glacio-isostatic uplift (e.g., Scotland and Sweden) and subsidence (e.g., the Netherlands and Germany) in response to melting of the British and Fennoscandian ice sheets since the LGM [1,96,[116][117][118][119][120]. Despite its relatively small size, the British ice sheet created large variations in RSL trends from the north to south of the UK [95].…”

Section: Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Holocene Relative Sea-Level Changes from Near-, Intermediate-, and Far-Field Locations

Khan

Ashe

Shaw

et al. 2015

Curr Clim Change Rep

129

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Holocene relative sea-level (RSL) records exhibit spatial and temporal variability that arises mainly from the interaction of eustatic (land ice volume and thermal expansion) and isostatic (glacio-and hydro-) factors. We fit RSL histories from near-, intermediate-, and far-field locations with noisy-input Gaussian process models to assess rates of RSL change. Records from near-field regions (e.g., Antarctica, Greenland, Canada, Sweden, and Scotland) reveal a complex pattern of RSL fall from a maximum marine limit due to the net effect of eustatic sea-level rise and glacio-isostatic uplift with rates of RSL fall as great as −69±9 m/ka. Intermediatefield regions (e.g., mid-Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the USA, Netherlands, Southern France, St. Croix) display variable rates of RSL rise from the cumulative effect of eustatic and isostatic factors. Fast rates of RSL rise (up to 10±1 m/ka) are found in the early Holocene in regions near the center of forebulge collapse. Far-field RSL records exhibit a midHolocene highstand, the timing (between 8 and 4 ka) and magnitude (between <1 and 6 m) of which varies among South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania regions.

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Section: Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Holocene Relative Sea-Level Changes from Near-, Intermediate-, and Far-Field Locations

Khan

Ashe

Shaw

et al. 2015

Curr Clim Change Rep

129

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“…- (1) fluctuating sea-level models such as Behre (2007) described below and (2) the smooth sea-level rise models as inferred by Kiden (1995) for the southwestern Netherlands and Denys and Baeteman (1995) for Belgian coastal plains. The latter authors suggest that the facies variations of coastal evolution were not the result of sea-level rise but were caused by tidal channels responding to changes in accommodation space, sediment supply and more latterly, human impact.…”

Section: Marine Transgressionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Bosch, 1982; see also Kiden, 1995, Denys andBaeteman, 1995). This suggested mechanism reflects the delicate balance which likely existed in the natural Fenland environment, and its susceptibility to rapid environmental change across large areas, following what may have been a modest triggering process such as new tidal channels opening or being blocked which may have triggered geomorphological change inland.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Holocene drainage systems of the English Fenland: roddons and their environmental significance

Smith

Zalasiewicz

Williams

et al. 2010

Proceedings of the Geologists' Association

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The roddons of the English Fenlands are fossilized silt and sand-filled tidal creek systems of mid to late Holocene age, incised into contemporaneous clay deposits. However, anthropogenic change (drainage and agriculture) has caused the former channels to become positive topographical features. Three stratigraphically discrete generations of roddon have been discriminated. They all show well-developed dendritic meander patterns, but there is little or no evidence of sand/silt infill during meandering; thus, unlike modern tidal creeks and rivers they typically lack laterally stacked point bar deposits, suggesting rapid infill.Major "trunk" roddons are rich in fine sands and there is little change in grain-size from 2 roddon mouth to the upper reaches, suggesting highly effective sand transport mechanisms and uniform conditions of deposition. Tributaries are silt-rich, while minor tributaries also have a significant clay component. During infill, active drainage networks appear to have been choked by sediment, converting mudflat/saltmarsh environments into widespread peatforming freshwater reed swamps.

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“…Most of these sediments were deposited after the last Glacial Stage some 10,000 years BP, mainly after sea-level rise slowed down some 6000 years BP, and are of Atlantic age or younger. Pleistocene sediments are also present, but to a lesser extent (DENYS et al, 1983;DENYS and BAETEMAN, 1995;MOSTAERT, 1985). The Quaternary sediments consist of sand, coarse sand with shells, clay, and peat layers.…”

Section: Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Implications of Sea-Level Rise for Belgium

Lebbe¹,

Meir²,

Viaene

2008

Journal of Coastal Research

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The Belgian coastal plain and the Schelde estuary are threatened by sea-level rise. While of great economic importance with a threatened population of some 0.8 million (of a total population of 10 million), assessments of these risks are limited. This article describes the physical characteristics of the coast and undertakes a qualitative interpretation of its vulnerability. Low-lying polders are the most vulnerable to sea-level rise where a major problem is water drainage during rainy periods; their varying vulnerability to sea-level rise and increase in rain intensity is assessed, including the relationship between drainage levels and saltwater seepage. Freshwater lenses developed within the dunes are also vulnerable to sea-level rise, leading to threats to drinking water supplies from saltwater intrusion. Belgian coastal defence structures and their effectiveness are discussed. Historical sea-level rise during the past century, wave and wind data, and the evolution of erosion and accretion along the coast are interpreted. For Antwerpen, a harbour city on the river Schelde, the effects of sea-level rise are far from clear. Included here are historical data on changes in tidal amplitude during the 20th century. Future research needs should focus on the quantitative interpretation of data to understand the effect of sea-level rise on beach erosion, flood risk, and fresh and salt groundwater distribution. Furthermore, a thorough socio-economic study should be undertaken to assess the vulnerability of the Belgian coast and the Schelde estuary. ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS: Belgian coastal plain, saltwater intrusion, gravitational and artificial water drainage, coastal defences. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BELGIAN COASTAL PLAIN Geographical Position and Economic RelevanceThe Belgian coastline is on the southern North Sea and comprises an open wave-exposed coast and the more sheltered upper reaches of the Schelde estuary. The wave-exposed coast (65-km long) has a nearly continuous dune belt that protects the hinterland. This dune barrier consists of two arcs, one stretching from Dunkerque (France) to Wenduine and a second arc from Wenduine to Breskens (The Netherlands). Its continuity is interrupted by the estuaries of the river IJzer in the west and het Zwin in the east and the harbours of Oostende, Blankenberge, and Zeebrugge. The total coastal zone population is ca. 0.4 million (i.e., ca. 4% of the Belgian population), which is concentrated in the towns of Brugge, Oostende, Blankenberge, Veurne, Nieuwpoort, and Knokke (Figure 1).During summer holidays the population increases by ca. 0.3 million resident tourists and on peak days by 0.25 million

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Holocene evolution of relative sea level and local mean high water spring tides in Belgium—a first assessment

Cited by 103 publications

References 9 publications

Holocene Relative Sea-Level Changes from Near-, Intermediate-, and Far-Field Locations

Holocene Relative Sea-Level Changes from Near-, Intermediate-, and Far-Field Locations

Holocene drainage systems of the English Fenland: roddons and their environmental significance

Potential Implications of Sea-Level Rise for Belgium

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